Arcam dv88+ problems

jimbof · 19-10-2002, 8:23 PM

I got one of these on Thursday, and on the whole it has been a fantastic upgrade from my old player, but...

While watching the R1 Out of Sight this evening the picture locked up for a few seconds at one point (didn't note the time, but its when Snoopy is shaking down Dick the Ripper in the prison library). It only did it once, then I couldn't reproduce. Then a bit later on the subtitles seemed to randomly switch on, but not quite. Only every other line of them appeared, and they were in the wrong place on the picture. When they first appeared they were relevant to the picture (ie the represented the dialog being spoken), but they stayed up and never changed. As soon as I hit the rewind button they disappeared.

Is this going to be a frequent problem? And has anyone got any idea whats causing it?

19-10-2002, 8:27 PM

Jimbof,

Is this the only DVD thats caused you any problems?. I've had a DV88+ for over a week and everything I've thrown at it so far has played perfectly.

John.

jimbof · 19-10-2002, 8:52 PM

So far its the only one - though I've only had it since thursday! I'm a bit paranoid now though - may have to spend tomorrow trying out some of the more notorious problem discs!

-Spike- · 24-10-2002, 10:10 AM

Hi Jimbof,

I have the DV88p and have had two disks "freeze", one R1, the other R2.

I have since rewatched and replayed the scenes in question and it hasn't happened since.
I put it down to a dirty disc?

HTH

jimbof · 27-10-2002, 9:39 AM

I've now had another disc do the random subtitle thing (R1 Jay and Silent Bob). Again rewinding cleared the sub (which was only half on anyway) and I couldn't reproduce. And the player has refused to play a trailer on the Swingers R1 saying bad disc, then been perfectly all right after ejecting and reloading the disc. These were both brand new discs so I dont think its anything to do with the discs themselves. Anyway I guess I'll be on the phone to Arcam tomorrow!

-Spike- · 27-10-2002, 6:29 PM

I had another two discs "freeze" three times this weekend on my DV88p

Made sure discs were clean before playing and upon replaying scenes in question they played fine???

Any ideas anyone?

28-10-2002, 5:43 PM

I've had this problem with both the DV88s I had. R1 discs would drop thier sound breifly and sometimes the picture would freeze.

I exchanged my first player but my second player was giving me the same problem, so I ended up sending my most problematic disc (O Brother where art thou) to arcam. They said that I was an authoring problem with some early versions of certian films...something to do with the menus or trailers not conforming to the DVD standards...this apparently makes the rest of the film play up. Seems strange that supposedly inferior japanese brands dont have these problems.

I still occasionally get drop outs on R1 discs but they don't seem to be repeatable. I should get this sorted before the gaurentee runs out but to be honest I think its a case of putting up with it (arcam will say its the discs fault) or getting a different player (I love my arcam!!).

I dont want this to sound like a rant against Arcam as they were always polite and helpful...and of course I love their products...but I cant help but feel cheated that my £1000 player has problems playing certain discs...to be quite honest I feel embarrased!!!

Edgeyboy · 28-10-2002, 7:11 PM

Hi

I am on the verge of buying a new DV27, and these sorts of problems really put me off.

sr78 · 28-10-2002, 7:39 PM

Dito... not good to hear... considering the 88+ myself.

Matt Horne · 28-10-2002, 8:56 PM

Hi...

I have had 2 DV88's (though the first was nicked).. Just had to return the second one to Arcam for a new drive as it was vibrating and refusing to play DVD's etc etc.. Whilst it was there I had it upgraded to the Plus Spec.. had it back a couple of days and I am very impressed so far!.

Le Hutch.. what version of the software are u running on your DV88? I understand that 1.8 was meant to help with the dropouts?? I have a copy of the upgrade discs from Arcam which I could send to you to use if you like ?.. PM me your details if you want to upgrade.. it may help (otherwise is may mean your drive needs replacing ??

HTH

Matt

jimbof · 28-10-2002, 9:47 PM

Phoned Arcam today and was told that new software would fix my subtitle problems - so I shall wait and see. but I have to second the above opinions that I find it strange that my sony 735 played everything I could throw at it, while the high end players (and this isn't an arcam specific whinge, the denon 3800 seems to be fairly tempramental!) have all these problems.

-Spike- · 28-10-2002, 9:53 PM

Hi all,

V1.8 does correct audio dropouts - fortunately don't suffer these myself.

The picture freezing can be quite off putting, but as I said earlier it's strange that I can't replicate the problem again?
Maybe I need to clean the discs with something a little stronger than my t-shirt

Just as an addition - the R1 disc that froze twice was Spiderman. The forward/rewind didn't work either and each time the film was stopped it restarted at the beginning

I put the last problem down to RCE and icompatability...maybe

monkeyboy69 · 29-10-2002, 12:03 AM

is this software only suitable for the dv88 or is it an upgrade for the fmj27 as I'm currently on 1.79 of that

cheers

Matt Horne · 29-10-2002, 7:18 AM

Hi...

I think it is for the DV88 only... though not a 100% sure...

Matt

29-10-2002, 8:26 AM

MAtt,

When did V1.8 come out? Mine was upgraded in April/may??

Also, can you tell me about this drive upgrade...when was it released, what does it cure, does it cost ?

ta

Lee

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